Connected Home: Here's How to Get Started

How would you like to have more control over your home? Increased security for you and your family? Better energy efficiency? Or just more enjoyment out of life?

New technology can help you can achieve all of those things — for less money than you think, and with less frustration, too.

You’ve undoubtedly heard about the “connected home” concept. And you’ve probably laughed at some of the more ridiculous-sounding ideas, like internet-enabled refrigerators. But there are real benefits to these connected devices; benefits way beyond surfing the web while you’re looking for a midnight snack.

Here are just a few of the possibilities:

Allowing guests or service providers access to your home, without the risk of hiding a key outside, thanks to smart door locks.

Seeing what’s going on inside your home, no matter where you are, with web-connected cameras.

Relaxing with streaming music in every room of the house at the touch of a button.

The best part? You don’t have to figure it all out on your own.

A new website, www.tryshelter.com, can help you get started — even if you think you don’t know much about technology, or if you’re interested but a little intimidated.

All you need to do is choose the option on the site that matches what you want to achieve, such as “Monitor My Home from Anywhere” or “Manage My Energy Use.” Shelter then recommends devices that fit your goals, explains what they do and includes links where you can purchase them.

They all work together, so you don’t have to worry about buying “connected” devices that don’t connect. And you don’t even have to worry about installation questions, because Shelter has tips to help you on that front as well.

Many of these devices can protect you from the hassle of an insurance claim, too — for instance, alerting you to a water leak when it happens, or helping you stop a minor kitchen flare-up from becoming a full-blown fire. Want to chat more about those benefits? Give me a call.